As they say…it all comes down to this. Welcome to night one of the two night season finale event of Dancing with the Stars. We began with 12 celebrities and after nine weeks of intense competition, only three remain to battle it out for the championship! In tonight’s special one-hour show, we will see a redemption round followed by the ever so important freestyle round. Some more judges scores will be handed out and audience voting will commence for the last time. Tomorrow night, we party and bring this season to a close. Let’s take a look at where you guys stood in the polls after last week’s semi-final show.
71% of you were cool with one of last week’s eliminations but did not agree with the other. (Hmm. I wonder which one you guys felt was wrong LOL). 23% were fine with both and 6% votes that they didn’t agree with either one. The semi-final episode itself was rated a B+. No polls were put up last week for any eliminations because everyone will get the opportunity to stick around until tomorrow’s night big season ender. But tonight is really what counts.
Each couple will be doing a redemption dance tonight- a routine they previously performed but to new music in hopes of improving on their score from the first time. And then we have the freestyle round. Some say it ends up winning (or losing) the competition, so let’s see what these choreographers have come up with to show off why their respective partners are deserving of that trophy. It should be a fast paced show tonight with lots of hype for those special guests that are due to perform tomorrow. I hope tonight is exciting and competitive.
*Note- voting via the facebook/dwts website method closes at 11AM Eastern tomorrow as opposed to the usual 8PM Eastern. So if you want to vote that way and tend to wait for the next day, remember that you have less time to do so. Phone voting is the same as it has been.
Tom and Erin welcome us to the show. And here come the finalists. According to Tom, the vote only separates the finalists by 3%. He didn’t get into specifics on if that’s the difference between winner and runner-up or anything but just know, this race is close.
Ginger & Val – Redemption Contemporary
This contemporary routine will include many elements from Ginger & Val’s previous dances in order to get better scores than they did during their first contemporary routine. During rehearsal, Ginger injured her back/hips. She had a really tough time during camera blocking yesterday. She is crying as the physical therapist works on her. A nice routine. It didn’t really have the emotional resonance for me that I have come to expect from contemporary numbers but it was a delight to watch. Good idea to remind viewers of the previous dances that Ginger did well in by recycling the mirrors, the fountain, etc… I just don’t think anything on display here had a wow factor. Ginger looked great though and if she is in pain, it didn’t show. – Click to Watch Ginger and Val’s Contemporary Performance VIDEO
Len sees the improvement. He compliments Val’s lifts. He loved it. Bruno loved the greatest hits re-imagined. He thought it was much better. Carrie Ann loved the strategy of doing a medley of Ginger’s best. She loved it as well.
Carrie Ann- 9
Len- 10
Bruno- 9
Total: 28/30
You can vote for Ginger by calling 1-800-868-3404 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM the next day (Eastern).
Nyle & Peta – Redemption Quickstep
Nyle wants to improve on what was one of his weakest routines, the quickstep. But this dance is actually more difficult. Peta gives a pep talk about how Nyle can do it. Very short rehearsal package as opposed to Ginger’s but I assume that’s because they had to fit the injury material in on hers. A definite improvement over the previous quickstep. Much better in hold (frame is better as is footwork). I also like this theme better because while The Mask was fun and iconic, it resulted in a way too chaotic routine. This is more of a traditional quickstep with the gliding around the floor and the fun kicks we are used to. I don’t quite remember what Nyle scored on that routine the first go around but these scores should at least be a point or two higher. – Click to Watch Nyla & Peta’s Contemporary Performance VIDEO
Bruno enjoyed the content. In one corner, a little precision was lost but he thought it was fabulous. Carrie Ann thought it was a great dance despite one out of sync moment. Len found it hectic in places. He calls him one heck of a dancer though.
Carrie Ann- 9
Len- 9
Bruno- 9
Total: 27/30
You can vote for Nyle by calling 1-800-868-3409 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM the next day (Eastern).
Paige & Mark – Redemption Salsa
The last time this dance happened, Mark was injured. So this is the chance for them to dance the routine together. Paige feels like this week is the most pressure she has ever felt. Mark is all about redemption on this dance. Fabulous salsa. Difficult to compare to the original since the original was with Alan and this had a lot of different content. I hate using any puns but they danced to a song with fire in it, and Paige was indeed on fire. A couple of moments of hesitation during the routine (not sure if it was on purpose) but it wasn’t anything to take me out of it. Just a great routine. – Click to Watch Paige & Mark’s Salsa Performance VIDEO
Carrie Ann thinks Paige has just continued to improve- even now. Len compliments the choreography. He didn’t feel there was quite enough hip action. Bruno chimes in and loved it. He loves that Paige out-danced Mark in that routine.
Carrie Ann- 10
Len- 9
Bruno- 10
Total: 29/30
You can vote for Paige by calling 1-800-868-3410 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM the next day (Eastern).
Ginger & Val – Freestyle
Val is doing an homage to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. He is excited about that. Ginger says the style is simple- two people with chemistry dancing. More back issues and Ginger hates that she can’t repeat stuff in rehearsals because that helps her learn. Val says this needs to be perfect or they won’t win. Hmm. I’m not sure what to make of that freestyle. The concept is a nice idea. I mean, who doesn’t love old school legends being paid tribute to? However, I’m not sure the execution really lived up to it. For a freestyle, it sort of fell flat. I didn’t see any glaring mistakes, which is a positive but similar to her first dance tonight, I didn’t see anything that would make this terribly memorable either. – Click to Watch Ginger & Val’s Freestyle Performance VIDEO
Len says Ginger has shown versatility. He says pain is temporary and glory lasts a lifetime. Bruno loved the number with the classic hollywood movie musical look. Carrie Ann thinks Ginger shines the brightest on this type of dance- frame and in-hold and classic dancing.
Carrie Ann- 10
Len- 10
Bruno- 10
Total: 30/30
You can vote for Ginger by calling 1-800-868-3404 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM the next day (Eastern).
*Interesting. If that freestyle received a perfect score, barring any major errors, the other routines should earn it as well because I have to imagine they will resonate a bit more.
Nyle & Peta – Freestyle
Peta wants to do an incredible contemporary routine so she brought in someone who is better at contemporary. Talia Favia is the choreographer Peta has asked to help. Peta admits she isn’t a trained contemporary choreographer at all. Nyle wants to tell a story and he wants it to reflect millions of deaf people. Wow. Just gorgeous. Powerful, moving, raw, dripping with emotion and a complete season ending dance for Nyle. The message behind the routine was so evidently important to Nyle that it transcended the routine even though the dancing was top notch. Just great stuff. – Click to Watch Nyle & Peta’s Freestyle Performance VIDEO
Bruno called it a work of art. He has chills. Carrie Ann says it was the best dance she has seen in twenty two seasons. She is all compliments. Len says it was a dance for everyone. He calls Nyle a very special person who did a very special dance.
Carrie Ann- 10
Len- 10
Bruno- 10
Total: 30/30
You can vote for Nyle by calling 1-800-868-3409 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM the next day (Eastern).
Paige & Mark – Freestyle
Mark got inspired by last week’s video package. He wants to elaborate on Paige’s story. Paige feels very confident now after being on this show. She isn’t mad or depressed anymore. Mark’s fiance, BC Jean is on hand to perform for them as they dance. Another wonderful contemporary piece that just like the one before… a totality of power, raw emotion, and glorious dancing. I wish I could say something different but these two final routines tonight (Nyle and Paige’s) just knocked my socks off. Breathtaking in execution and so powerful to watch. – Click to Watch Paige & Mark’s Freestyle Performance VIDEO
Carrie Ann loved how much Paige has grown. Len says it has been an honor to see three fantastic freestyles. Bruno called it a triumph.
Carrie Ann- 10
Len- 10
Bruno- 10
Total: 30/30
You can vote for Paige by calling 1-800-868-3410 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM the next day (Eastern).
Judges Finale (Night One) Leaderboard (Out Of A Possible 60)
Paige & Mark – 59/60
Ginger & Val – 58/60
Nyle & Peta – 57/60
And that ends that. Tomorrow night, one more dance will pour on some more judges votes and after a two hour event, we will see who places 3rd, 2nd, and wins season twenty-two. What a second round of freestyles that was. Truly. I’ll be back tomorrow night before the show begins with my final thoughts on what happened tonight and what I think will happen tomorrow but coming up in a few… THE LAST POLLS. SAD. Yep. For the last time this season, I hope you all check out that post and vote and comment. The show ran out of time there at the end and had to rush it off the air but you know me, I can go on forever. LOL. And sometimes I do. Thanks for joining me you guys.
